Millions of Hindus bathe in Ganges to cleanse sins

January 16, 2013 10:40 PM

Photo: Kevin Frayer/Associated Press

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An Indian Hindu holy man performs morning prayers for devotees at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

An Indian Hindu holy man performs morning prayers for devotees at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, ... more

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** less

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: Hindu devotees bathe in the waters of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in ... more

A naked Hindu holy man or a Naga Sadhu and his dog watches as devotees walk past his tent at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ascetics with ash smeared on their bodies plunged into the frigid waters of India's holy Ganges River on Monday in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. The ceremony in the northern city of Allahabad took place on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days.(AP Photo /Manish Swarup) less

A naked Hindu holy man or a Naga Sadhu and his dog watches as devotees walk past his tent at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, ... more

Indian Hindu devotees gather as they bathe at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

Indian Hindu devotees gather as they bathe at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

Indian Hindu devotees gather as they bathe at Sangam, the... Photo-4038254.55220 - SFGate

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An Indian Hindu holy man combs his eyebrows after taking a bath at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims came to take part in the world largest religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days. The congregation falls once every 12 year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

An Indian Hindu holy man combs his eyebrows after taking a bath at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

An Indian Hindu holy man combs his eyebrows after taking a bath at... Photo-4038252.55220 - SFGate

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ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: Hindu devotees perform an aarti or Hindu ceremony on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the waters of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) less

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: Hindu devotees perform an aarti or Hindu ceremony on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the waters of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the ... more

An Indian Hindu holy man, or Naga Sadhu, stands naked next to a priest during an evening prayer ceremony known as Arti at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

An Indian Hindu holy man, or Naga Sadhu, stands naked next to a priest during an evening prayer ceremony known as Arti at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

An Indian Hindu holy man, or Naga Sadhu, stands naked next to a... Photo-4038248.55220 - SFGate

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An Indian Hindu priest and a devotee take part during an evening prayer ritual known as Arti, at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

An Indian Hindu priest and a devotee take part during an evening prayer ritual known as Arti, at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

An Indian Hindu priest and a devotee take part during an evening... Photo-4038247.55220 - SFGate

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Hindu devotees are seen at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, through a saree, women clothing, hung for drying after a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ascetics with ash smeared on their bodies plunged into the frigid waters of India's holy Ganges River on Monday in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. The ceremony in the northern city of Allahabad took place on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days.(AP Photo /Manish Swarup) less

Hindu devotees are seen at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, through a saree, women clothing, hung for drying after a holy dip during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, ... more

Photo: Manish Swarup, Associated Press

Hindu devotees are seen at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers... Photo-4038246.55220 - SFGate

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An Indian Hindu woman carries a coconut as she takes part in morning prayers while bathing at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims came to take part in the world largest religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days. The congregation falls once every 12 year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

An Indian Hindu woman carries a coconut as she takes part in morning prayers while bathing at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati during the Maha Kumbh Mela in ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

An Indian Hindu woman carries a coconut as she takes part in... Photo-4038241.55220 - SFGate

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Hindu devotees pray at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ascetics with ash smeared on their bodies plunged into the frigid waters of India's holy Ganges River on Monday in a ritual they believe can wash away their sins. The ceremony in the northern city of Allahabad took place on the most auspicious day of the Kumbh Mela, or Pitcher Festival, one of the world's largest religious gatherings that lasts 55 days.(AP Photo /Manish Swarup) less

Hindu devotees pray at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of devout Hindus led by naked ... more

Indian Hindu devotees bathe at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims are expected to take part in the large religious congregation that lasts more than 50 days on the banks of Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in January 2013, which falls every 12th year. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer) less

Indian Hindu devotees bathe at Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and mythical Saraswati at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Millions of Hindu pilgrims ... more

Photo: Kevin Frayer, Associated Press

Indian Hindu devotees bathe at Sangam, the confluence of the holy... Photo-4038240.55220 - SFGate

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ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: A sadhu makes his way towards the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) less

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: A sadhu makes his way towards the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in ... more

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: A naga sadhu performs for donations during an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) less

ALLAHABAD, INDIA - JANUARY 15: A naga sadhu performs for donations during an aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges river, during the Maha Kumbh Mela on January 15, 2013 in Allahabad, India. The Maha Kumbh ... more